Nasty Little Things [ramonaji/awigze mix]

Ramona [ramonaji] and Andy [awigze] are amazing. This musical track was absolutely dead lyric wise so I ask for some help. These two artist worked independently and somehow managed to "be on the same page". I will admit to having listened to Ramona's take on the track lyrically with a jaw on the floor. Her performance just hits so many emotional levels. Andy is a terrific horn man and his work here is just brilliant. Sometimes a kiss could indeed be the kiss of death. I pretty much believe the female character here is not going to forget anything .."no way".
Additional thanks to magnatone and kassia for advice and suggestions.
Additional thanks to Outtaorbit for listening to this as many times as I have and throwing in with some production advice.

did you think
that i wouldn't catch you
that i wouldn't know
did you think in the end
i would just let it go
i've always believed
that things go around
how did it feel
to hold on to this
i was watching
when you kissed
how does it feel
to hold on to
this
you think i'll forgive you
as more time passes
you think i will change
how i remember this
there is
no way
i will
forget
there is no way
you won't come to regret
the choices you made
you live with
every
little
ramification
i saw you
i saw
you
did you think i wouldn't
i have always believed
things come around
but i am no longer
lost or found
how did it feel
to hold on to this
i
was watching
when
you
kissed
you think i'll forgive you
as more time passes
you think i will change
how i remember this
there is no way

hello shelia...
I am not ashamed to admit the vocals and lyrics made me a bit scared as well [ a nod to great crafting and performance] ... andy's dark horn work made me want a nite light. Thanks for the listen and comments ... very cool

suspense
and lots of tension too. there is lightning here now and i feel the ghosts surrounding me. the vocal effect and others (swirling around) are terrific, it has a Doors feel to it, organs, occasional guitar chords and that horn is an almost freestyle cherry on the cake. the sparse drums and percussion keep the track going. superlatives abound, but i see progression here too, i started to appreciate your talents with the track Emma and continue to be amazed with this one. what a track, jack :-D...and of course the other participants. chapeau!

Marc ...
What great comments. The track started as some experimentation with some Tibet Bowls and Wivi Band iphone apps. I was originally just playing with sound and found a bass... added some drums ... keys .. got the basic mix down and just went brain dead. Andy and Ramona inspired the final with their contributions and really added as much or more than I did really to the final track. I have become quiet addicted to "sax" ... real horns are a delight and Ramona's vox was so easy to merge sonically I had to play around with some effects there and I think I got lucky. Mr. Turtle I am waving and grinning to you and Misses T..... blessings brother ... and thank you my friend.

Ramona Thanks !!
This song would not have happened without you. "Theatrical" just keeps coming to mind every time I listen to your performance. Just an amazing contribution and a joy to work with. You take us through the dark places and make us want to follow. Just amazing !!! Many, many thanks and KUDOS for such a wonderful trip.

Powerful
Wow, this is powerful stuff - what a great, natural blending of talent. The music is eerie, and suspenseful, and somehow jolting; reminds me in stretches of early solo Peter Gabriel. That sax is perfect - a sound that always makes me think of Psychedelic Furs, but they never reached this level of darkness and depth. Great vocal, and truly dark, insinuating lyrics. Excellent. Nicely done to everyone involved. Kudos. Peace

Another reason I love this place
as if I needed convincing - but the truth is I can't find work as adventurous, exciting, and unique as this anywhere else. You have taken freedom of expression and musical invention to another level here Jack. Ramona and Andy are amazing and your production is truly inspired. Great collab - and deeply effective piece of music. You picked the right genre for this - absolutely other.

"Casting"
.... I really had a bit of the "bud dawg" in my head while trying to sort this one out. That's the truth. Andy and Ramona carried such a large part of the weight creatively here ... thank you Kevin ... sincerely.

WOOT WOOT
you're ALWAYS surprising me jack! as you already know, i think this version is FABULOUS, and i wouldn't change a THING! very very very cool vocals, horns, everything else that's in here, and your MIX is awesome! Congratulations!!!

i know i was a pest
.. i have bad ears and need a therapist ... :-] Karen thank you for graciously being available "extra ears" and many, many thanks for the generous comment ... these guys nailed it no ??

Thanks Jack and Romona
for including me. I must admit. Working on this tune pulled me out of a comfort zone. But such is art. Luckily on the night that I recorded my part, a documentary on Jimi Hendrix was showing on PBS. Specifically the segment where he plays, Wild Thing at Monterey, California where he sacrifices his guitar. I would watch a couple of minutes then go into the 'studio' and record, running back and forth.... And so it goes. I had a great time!

Andy ....
you can try and pass off this killer horn work to a TV show .. we all know better. Man you are pure professional and anyone lucky enough to snag some of your time is in for a treat and a perfect track. I cannot express enough thanks your advice on mixing the final master. What is still kicking me is you laid this track in before the vocals and everything just fit perfectly. Who owes you big time ?? ... I do.
Thank you Andy.

It worked well
It worked so well because you were the guy! Great mix. I wondered what I would have done different if I had heard Romonas's vocals during the recording... but I am glad that she had the sax to listen too while she recorded her part. Maybe this can be a technique in recording. Go back and forth on sax / vocals - then delete the sax after the vocals are laid down, then re-record... and see how the improvisation would change. It's like we said when we were wondering if it was in the can: Can only make it sound different- but can't make any additions that would improve it. This was a great collaboration and it was a pleasure!

Bloody Hell
Bloody hell
...you are genius level with this.
I am already a big fan of Romana and you have inspired her up to a new level here. Andy's main contribution comes in at the perfect and unexpected time and adds to the tension.
Jack this is wonderful - on the same level as Emma.
Downloaded for many listens. Thanks.
Cheers
Len

Chilling....
a woman scorned... Ramona does a great job of conveying a woman's feelings at being betrayed. Andy's horn playing accents it all so creatively, and Jack, your musical track was perfect for this song. This one should stop people who are even considering cheating!!

word...
I'm getting a mantric, Primus kind of feel from the dark-edged, wobbly organic bass sound, and the driving, challenging buildup of rhythms and harmonics. This is awesome. and the chicago blues feel with the horns towards the end is brilliant. a truly original piece.

wow
from the moment i heard that funky opening bass my mouth has been hanging open in awe. this is just incredible in all ways. each performance is creatively excellent and the final mixed package is sublime. amazing. you are just way too cool jack.

A half step out of the norm
And fits right into my mood of the day. All three of you did a great job making this slightly twisted number work in every way. Second listen! Na that aint working. A download for the pod and a good listen with the headphones. This is a very interesting track. Hats off to all.

Those off kilter
vocal harmonies certainly give this an edge that makes the flesh creep...... sounds of the 'un-dead'? Great backing too..... sounds so threatening and ominous......... and a really great production Jack, cheers M

This
is amazing Jack, really fantastic track!
I love the sparse use of percussion and a great tone on the bass, Ramonaji's vocals are superb.
Very creative and inspiring, love how it develops as it twists and turns in all its mysterious ways.
Andy's sax is awesome when it comes in and sounds fantastic!
Perfect mix and a great production.
An excellent collab and congrats to all involved, I now have to download for many more listens!

holy mither
hey! stuff around 1:00 is just plain scary i'm glad there's still light out
that effect at 1:18 - YES! ok, settling in for more of this ear trip.

ramona - i want to be just like you when i grow up: unafraid to stick your vocal neck out, and full of drama. excellent spots of harmony - MMM MMM GOOD! the really fine music supports the tension perfectly with instrumental flourishes and embellishments at just the right spots.
raaaaaaaam i fication
3:36 horn blew my mind
bravo the horn!!
those little ribbons of vocal there - hey, who mixed this? it's WAAAAY good.
4:26 - bowing, bowing, bowing
5:04 ditto
5:52 - oh oh, that low rumble can't be a good sign....
it's a pretty long song - i think you could trim a few minutes without loosing impact.
it's the not afraid to go for it mixing of some really excellent elements that makes this a winner from the get go for me. BIG BRAVO from this sister!
anne

but ....
can you dance to it ?? whot ... 7 plus minutes ??? Seriously cool comments. I have you penciled in . Anne thanks ... these guys made this track complete. I am so gonna rub orbits nose in this comment ...lol.

Exactly
what style would you call this ?.... tricky was not a genre pick ..lol. Thanks Craft ... the evolving of the track indeed hinges on fantastic performances by ramona and andy. Seriously cool of you to take the time to stop by .... Very Much appreciated !

the choice you make
wow kids! this is the best ramonaji vocal i've heard - restrained at just the right moment, let loose when it needs to be, just a great, emotionally spot-on performance. And that horn work, how COOL is that!?! Bass kills also. this tune has a terrific gritty postmodern feel to it - elements of the last 100 years in pop music wrapped up into some kind of uber contemporary machinery. made me think of blade runner...

Well then Jack and Co.
This is inescapably clean and intimate - which makes the tense and creepy bits permeate me like nobody's business. The elements in this are all so brilliantly woven together - and what a pro mix. Everything has its own space, there is acoustic room to breathe.

Doug ...
What a great set of comments. I really appreciate the nod on the mix ... 27 tracks and I still am such a newbie on so many aspects of the mixing process..... it was a challenge to let ramona and andy have the proper space they needed for their brilliant work.
You rock Doug !
Jack

under your skin
This is the kind of music that crawls in, spreads slowly into your veins, and won't let go. Weird, beautiful, dangerous, makes you thirst for more, but want to back slowly away, at the same time. Totally love it... Jack, as always, awesome music bed, and Andy, great sax work here, and Ramona, super work with the knife-edged singing and dangerous lyrics... wow.
ttfn,
Drakonis

Right on time eduard!
thanks so much for the comments. these two artist rocked this one. It is a simple song about a broken hearted woman... why is everyone so afraid ??? :- ] from us to you .... many thanks and much appreciate the listen and comments dragon.

its all been said
but there really is something cool how this all comes together. Darker yes, but very intriguing with depth all around. Could easily be a soundtrack. Something for the White Album. Love it all but the bass is really fantastic. Sort of the glue that keeps it all together